An exquisite volley by the Arsenal left-winger, Rachel Yankey, gave England a narrow but convincing victory in the Cyprus Cup against the team they had also beaten in the 2009 final.

Hope Powell's team were in control from start to finish to deny Canada a fourth triumph in the six-year history of the tournament and give themselves a timely boost before the summer's European Championship finals.

After winning this tournament four years ago they went on to finish runners-up at Euro 2009 and, on the evidence of this performance, another strong showing could well be on the cards at Sweden 2013.

Unlike in that game which England started slowly to their ultimate cost, they opened brightly in Nicosia and twice might have taken an early lead. The right-winger, Ellen White, had a third-minute shot saved by the Canadian goalkeeper, Erin McLeod, and five minutes later Eniola Aluko's 20-yard free-kick deflected off a defender to flash just wide of the far post.

Aluko then squandered a simple 23rd-minute opening, dragging a shot wide from 12 yards after Yankey's cross had been played into her path by White. The striker was equally profligate just after the half-hour as she neatly traded passes with the midfielder Fara Williams to find space but then sent a badly hit volley high over the bar.

A 20-yard Yankey shot that McLeod saved under her crossbar ended England's best 45 minutes of the tournament. They were never as fluid, following several substitutions, after the interval but continued to create chances while the Canadians struggled to get into the England half.

Fara Williams and White sent long-range efforts wide of the target before Powell's side took a richly deserved lead.

The substitute Jess Clarke, from wide on the left, curled in a cross that Yankey met 12 yards out to sweep a volley into the top corner. As England continued to press the substitute Rachel Williams drove narrowly wide. With the game entering its closing stages Canada produced their only pressure of the game but England held out to become the Cyprus Cup winners.

Earlier, Scotland, whose 4-4 group draw with England on Friday was the match of the tournament, clinched fifth place in the 12-nation event with a 1-0 win against Holland. The Arsenal striker Kim Little scored the winner against opponents reduced to 10 players after the sending-off of the defender Mirte Roelvink.

Northern Ireland, beaten 5-4 on penalties by South Africa after a 1-1 draw, finished with the tournament's wooden spoon.